I bet crumpets to teacakes you were (like me) glued to the TV to watch the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. We all thought the Queen was absolutely magnificent. Oh yes – Kate wasn’t so bad either. Viriginia

You’re absolutely right! I watched some of the celebrations on the BBC website and the concert on tv, although they did cut out quite a bit of the concert (I was looking forward to seeing Shirley Bassey and some of the classical music pieces!)

Thank you, Belmont Rooster, for your generous comment. Although I was nominated for one or two awards earlier in my blogging career I find that I’m happier just writing for the fun of it now, but many thanks anyway for the very kind thought. I’ve enjoyed reading about your preparations for winter.

Thanks for stopping by my blog, Eddie. I so enjoy seeing your beautiful pictures of Irish castles. I believe my great-grandmother was born in Kilkenny Castle and it has always been a dream of mine that I might get to visit there one day.

I have become used to living in the Chicago area now. We’ve been here for more than 40 years but I still think of England as home, even though I’ve never been back there. I was always afraid to go back in case I found it even harder to leave a second time, especially while my parents were still living there.

It is always such a thrill visiting you! I learn (or remember) something about you every time.
Like your fascination for the Morton Arboretum for instance, a place I meant to visit
but never had a chance to while living nearby.

Thank you so much for sharing the link. I’ll definitely check it out. I’ve been on here since 2011 So I’ve added quite a few pictures in my time and I’d welcome any advice on how to make the space stretch a bit further.

Lovely photos – like your comment on the natural cycle of things. No rain here for weeks but at lasat today it is wet. Have been so pleased to have a garden in the lock down but not so pleased with hundreds of people pouring on to the beach

I live just outside Chicago, Diana. For the most part, people are very good about wearing masks and keeping distance here, but there are always the few who don’t, and it only takes one person to start the whole thing up again. That being said, I think there must come a time when we just have to hope for the best and get back to ‘business as usual.’ I do know that I’ll never feel safe in a crowd again so that’s something I will definitely be avoiding in the future. I hope all goes well back home in England. Stay safe.